Rodborough Parish Church

The Church of St Mary the Virgin sits on a hillside above Stroud, commanding views across the Cotswold valleys that frankly outclass most tourist attractions in the region. It's a proper medieval church - 13th century originally - with all the expected stone work and buttresses, but what makes the walk worthwhile is the churchyard itself and the sheer setting. You're looking at rolling countryside that goes on for miles, the kind of view that makes you understand why people settled here in the first place.

The interior is respectably done up without being flashy. Stained glass, memorial tablets, the usual church furniture. Nothing that will keep you absorbed for hours, but worth a look if you're already in the area. The real pull here is the walk to get there and the position of the building itself - it's the kind of spot where you linger longer than you planned, especially if the light's good.

Historically minded visitors might appreciate that you're looking at centuries of village life in stone. Families doing a Cotswolds walk from one of the nearby glamping spots - Middle Lypiatt is just 2.2 miles away - could easily tack this onto a longer route without adding much time. Tobacconist Farm is 3.1 miles off, so equally manageable.

Allow 30 to 45 minutes if you're calling it a destination. Longer if you're combining it with a circular walk. Admission appears to be free, as is the case with most parish churches. Go on a clear day - the views do half the work for you.